County confirms hepatitis cases
January 4, 2006
Mike Wilder
Times-News (NC)
The Alamance County Health Department is reporting two confirmed cases of hepatitis A and is waiting for more information on two other suspected cases of the disease.
The two known cases were confirmed last week. Health education supervisor Marcy Green said the department might learn today if the two suspected cases have been confirmed.
The health department hasn't identified a source of infection for the people with the disease.
Family members of the people involved are receiving hepatitis A immune globulin treatments.
The health department has determined no need for preventive treatment for other people who may have been in contact with those who have or might have hepatitis A.
Green said the cases don't involve people who work in child care or at a restaurant.
Green said larger-scale outbreaks can occur as a result of employees at restaurants failing to wash their hands before preparing food after they have gone to the bathroom. The department emphasizes good sanitation when talking with restaurant operators and employees, she said.
The disease is caused by a virus passed in the stool of infected people.
Hepatitis A typically involves a mild liver infection.
Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever and possible yellow- ing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
The time frame between exposure to the virus and displaying symptoms is generally 28 to 30 days, though people can have the symptoms earlier or later.
Children are less likely than adults to display the symptoms.
Last year, 10 cases of hepatitis A were reported in Alamance County.
That was up from one reported case in 2004 and none in 2003. There were five cases in 2002, two in 2001 and five in 2000.
Green said it has been years since there has been a restaurant-related outbreak of hepatitis A in the county, and last year's higher number of cases was not the result of any one incident.
Dr. Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, the department's medical director, said the best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A is to wash hands with generous amounts of warm water and soap after going to the bathroom, after diaper changes and before preparing or consuming food or drink.
Mike Wilder can be reached at mike_wilder@link.freedom.com or 506-3046
